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Analysis and nomograph development for a leaky pipeline carrying plug flow based on numerical modeling and
Hicham Ferroudji1, Abinash Barooah2, Ibrahim Hassan3
1Laboratory of Petroleum Equipment's Reliability and Materials, Hydrocarbons and Chemistry Faculty, Boumerdes University, Boumerdes, Algeria. ferroudji.h@univ-boumerdes.dz.
Scientific Reports
|March 4, 2026
Summary
Detecting leaks in underwater multiphase pipelines is difficult. This study uses numerical modeling and analysis of pressure signals to improve leak detection and estimate gas release velocity, enhancing subsea safety.
Area of Science:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Pipeline Engineering
- Multiphase Flow
Background:
- Leak detection in multiphase pipelines is challenging due to complex flow, especially plug flow.
- Conventional methods fail in multiphase systems, causing reduced sensitivity and false alarms.
- Underwater pipeline leaks pose significant safety and environmental risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate leakage characteristics in horizontal gas-liquid plug flow under underwater conditions.
- Develop and validate a numerical model for simulating underwater pipeline leaks.
- Assess pressure signal analysis techniques and develop a nomograph for gas release velocity estimation.
Main Methods:
- Developed a 3D transient numerical model using the Volume of Fluid (VOF) approach.
- Simulated various leakage scenarios with different discharge sizes and flow velocities.
- Validated numerical results against experimental data and analyzed pressure signals using statistical metrics and wavelet transform.
Main Results:
- Leakage significantly alters pressure fluctuations and gas void fraction distribution.
- Leak detectability depends on flow conditions and discharge size.
- A developed nomograph accurately estimates gas release velocity from underwater leaks.
Conclusions:
- Numerical modeling and pressure signal analysis are effective for underwater multiphase pipeline leak detection.
- The proposed nomograph aids in subsea leak assessment and process safety.
- This research improves the reliability of leak detection in critical multiphase flow systems.
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